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Slowing down age-related hearing loss

December 16, 2015, 1:50 pm
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By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Loss of hearing associated with age is a leading cause of disability amongst older people. Low level inflammation may damage blood vessels within the ear, leading to hearing loss. Furthermore, hearing loss may be associated with blood vessel damage within the eye, as well as loss of cognitive function. This suggests that there may be a common underlying inflammatory cause for each of these age-related conditions.

Can aspirin reduce age-related
hearing loss? 
Aspirin is a commonly used anti-inflammatory medication. It has a known role in helping treat blood vessel diseases and can inhibit the formation of blood clots.

Monash researchers from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (SPHPM) are involved in a new study called ASPREE-HEARING. This study will assess the effect of aspirin on hearing levels in patients aged 70 years and older who are involved in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial.

Patients will be given either aspirin or a placebo treatment over a three year period and have their hearing measured over this time. The blood vessels within their eyes and cognitive ability will also be monitored.

The results from this study will ultimately lead to a better understanding of whether these different age-related diseases are connected and whether or not aspirin can be used to slow the progression of age-related hearing loss.


Reference: Lowthian JA, Britt CJ, Rance G, Lin FR, Woods RL, Wolfe R, Nelson MR, Dillon HA, Ward S, Reid CM, Lockery JE, Nguyen TT, McNeil JJ, Storey E. Slowing the progression of age-related hearing loss: Rationale and study design of the ASPIRIN in HEARING, retinal vessels imaging and neurocognition in older generations (ASPREE-HEARING) trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2015 Nov: 46; 60-66
doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2015.11.014
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Position vacant: Faculty of Science HEW 5 Administration Officer, Research and Graduate Research

December 13, 2015, 2:18 pm
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The Faculty of Science Research Office is seeking to appoint a full-time casual HEW 5 Administration Officer, Research and Graduate Research.  The role of the Administration Officer is to provide a wide range of administrative services and support for research staff and Graduate Research students across the Faculty of Science.  We are seeking ​a ​highly motivated individual who has exceptional organisational skills, who thrives on attention to detail, engaging with staff and students, and has a passion for delivering excellent administrative service.  Please refer to the attached Position Description for further information.
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Congratulations to Karen Alt on AMREP Seed Grant!

December 14, 2015, 2:43 pm
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Congratulations to Drs Karen Alt (pictured) and Thomas Hoefer on the award of a 2015 AMREP Collaborative Seed Grant. Karen is a Senior Research Officer in Dr Christoph Hagemeyer's NanoBiotechnology Laboratory in the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases. Thomas is a postdoctoral research officer at the Baker IDI Institute, researching effects of flow dynamics on VWF-activation in thrombus formation.
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Rob Medcalf delivers 2015 Barry Firkin oration

December 15, 2015, 4:48 pm
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Professor Rob Medcalf delivered the Barry Firkin Oration during the Joint Haematology congress (HAA) in Adelaide on 17 Oct 2015. Dr Jennifer Curnow (President of the Australian Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis; ASTH) is to Rob's left, presenting the artworks to Rob.
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Ethanol exposure and traumatic brain injury

December 16, 2015, 2:00 pm
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By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important health issue, being a major cause of death and disability worldwide. When a TBI occurs in the absence of injury to the rest of the body, it is known as an isolated TBI (iTBI). Ethanol exposure or intoxication is commonly associated with iTBI. However, following injury, the effects of ethanol in the brain are unknown.

How does ethanol affect the brain?
Researchers from the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) and the Department of Surgery, alongside colleagues from the Alfred Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Centre and National Trauma Research Institute, have recently investigated the association between ethanol exposure leading to iTBI and in-hospital mortality rates.
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Forthcoming events 2016

December 16, 2015, 2:15 pm
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Dr Katherine Suter presenting
at the 2015 D.S. Rosengarten
Surgical Trainee Prize event
Central Clinical School has regular seminar series and graduate research presentations. All event notices are maintained on the CCS Events calendar. CCS staff & students can see details of both public and local events (including professional development courses, trade fairs and Graduate Research Student calendars) and deadlines, at the CCS Intranet's Announcements page.

Various departments have their own calendars. See CCS seminar index: www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/events/seminars.html

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Photo of the week: Prof Wendy Brown's group

December 16, 2015, 8:06 pm
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Bariatric Surgery Registry (SPHPM) and Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CCS).
L-R Back row. Anna Palmer (Ethics Assistant), Brittany Smith (Customer Relationship Officer), Prof Wendy Brown (Director, Professor of Surgery, CCS), Cheryl Laurie (Research Nurse), Dianne Brown (Project Manager), Lucy Davenport (Administrative Assistant), Tiffany Tei (Summer Scholarship student)
Front row. Aileen Heal (Administrative Assistant), Jazz Padarath (Data entry assistant), Berihun Zeleke (Data entry assistant/PhD student), Margaret Anderson (Data Manager), Geri Ooi (PhD surgical trainee)

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Final issue of CCS blog for 2015

December 16, 2015, 8:16 pm
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This is the final issue of the Central Clinical School blog for 2015. It's been a busy year and we wish everyone a happy, safe and restful break over the Christmas and New Year period.

The CCS blog resumes on Friday 5 Feb 2016.
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Perspectives on Women in Science

January 7, 2016, 4:46 pm
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A recent publication in Baker IDI's Perspectives has focused on Women In Science. The article by A/Professor Rebecca Ritchie and Professor Bronwyn Kingwell was also published on Women’s Agenda last month.

A/Prof Rebecca Ritchie (left) and
Professor Bronwyn Kingwell (right)
"It is widely agreed that there is a great deal more work to be done to improve the representation of women at senior levels in Australian medical research. In this edition of Perspectives, we focus on gender inequality in the Australian science sector and explore how individuals and organisations are taking steps to effect change."

This publication is digital-only and is available via the Baker IDI website.

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Reducing cardiac fibrosis

January 10, 2016, 4:57 pm
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By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Cardiac fibrosis (scarring) causes the heart to become stiff which affects the ability of the heart to function normally. Cardiac fibrosis can lead to heart failure and is associated with a range of health problems including hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Dr Anthony Dear
A new class of therapeutics used to treat diabetes, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, help regulate glucose levels in the body. There is evidence that some GLP-1R agonists are able to improve vascular disease in mouse models.

Monash researchers from the Department of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology, overseen by Dr Anthony Dear,  have investigated the effect of a GLP-1R agonist on cardiac fibrosis in a number of different pathological settings.  The recently published work showed that mice with hypertension, obesity, or age induced cardiac fibrosis had reduced evidence of cardiac fibrosis following treatment with a GLP-1R agonist, regardless of diabetic status. Furthermore, reduced levels of inflammatory markers were found within the hearts of treated animals. This reduction in inflammation may be the mechanism behind the observed reduction in cardiac fibrosis.

These results show that GLP-1R agonists may have success in treating cardiac fibrosis, regardless of pathological cause (i.e. hypertension, obesity or age), in humans.


Reference: Gaspari T, Brdar M, Lee HW, Spizzo I, Hu Y, Widdop RE, Simpson RW, Dear AE. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-mediated attenuation of cardiac fibrosis. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2016 Jan: 13;56-68.
doi: 10.1177/1479164115605000.
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Learning and Teaching Research Grant Scheme 2016

January 12, 2016, 5:06 pm
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The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and  Health Sciences Learning & Teaching Research Grant Scheme (L&T RGS) is an initiative to assist in the development of high quality learning and teaching research activity in the Faculty.

The scheme is funded to the value of $200,000 with individual grants of up to $20,000 being available although research for smaller amounts for targeted activities are  encouraged. Funding will be for 1 year commencing 1 March 2016.

Expected outcomes from the L&T RGS would include data collection that enabled the research team to apply for external national competitive grants, publications in high quality peer reviewed journals and implementation of new L&T activities in the Faculty.  Cross discipline collaborative projects are encouraged.

·        Submission Deadline: COB 5th February 2016.
Further details and application form available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/intranet/education/ Under Teaching Grants and Outcomes,  Learning & Teaching Research Grant Application

·      Please send completed applications to fmnhs-dde@monash.edu
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International Congress of Immunology 2016 - Call for abstracts!

January 18, 2016, 1:07 pm
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The International Congress of Immunology is to be held in Melbourne, August 21-26, 2016. The meeting is only held every 3 years. Please check the website for details on abstract submission and the excellent scientific program: ​http://ici2016.org/

ASI will support postgrad and junior postdoc members at this meeting with bursaries of a combined value of more than 100k, so get in fast with your applications. See more details here  To be eligible for a bursary, you will need to be a member of ASI and submit your abstract by 25 January 2016.​

This is a great opportunity to see the world's best immunologists and impress them with your questions and knowledge. Also, you may score an invite for an overseas post-doc! 

Note: Early bird registration for ICI 2016 closes by 11 May, 2016.
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Applications Open: Graduate Certificate in Translational Research

January 18, 2016, 8:30 pm
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Translational research short course group
Monash is inviting applications for Graduate Certificate in Translational Research. This is a 24 credit point course which can be completed within 0.5 year FT or 1 year PT. 

There are four units - Bioethics Theory and Practice, Introductory Biostatistics, Introduction to Clinical Trials and Translational Research. 



The major aims of the course are to:
  • Define general ethical frameworks, along with specific ethical principles underpinned by those frameworks, in the context of current developments in biotechnology, clinical practice, and the ethical oversight of research on humans
  • Apply basic working principles of biostatistical methods in health and medical research
  • Outline the principles of good clinical practice (GCP), how to conduct a clinical trial, how drugs are developed and how to manage regulatory documents
  • Outline the processes involved in developing a basic science finding through to clinical studies
Core learning outcomes are through understanding how scientific concepts can be marketed and communicated effectively through research pipeline procedures.

The course is suited to graduates of Medicine, Biomedical Science, Nursing and allied health. The career path for the graduates are:
  • Academia (university or college)
  • Researcher at a university, health or medical organisation
  • Researcher in government, industrial laboratory or industry organisation
  • Independent research as a consultant
  • Biotech/Pharma
  • Industry
  • Sales and marketing
  • Human resources
  • Patent law
  • Science policy advisor
  • Advisor to government and regulatory bodies
  • Management consultant
  • Defence force
For more information, http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/education/translational/ or contact the Program Coordinator Dr Steven Petratos 99020191 (steven.petratos@monash.edu).
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Anaphylaxis to oats – link between food-based moisturisers and food allergy

January 19, 2016, 4:24 pm
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By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Food allergy is a growing health issue and, for those affected, can be associated with serious medical outcomes. Allergic reactions to food can range from relatively mild (swelling, rashes) to potentially life threatening (anaphylaxis). 

Allergy Research Group:
(back) L-R Jade Jaffar, Nirupama Varese
Jennifer Rolland (Head), Robyn O'Hehir (Head), Jodie Abramovitch
(front) L-R Sara Prickett, Tracy Phan
Researchers within the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (AIRMed) and the Department of Immunology and Pathology have recently published an interesting case study on oat allergy. A female patient presented with anaphylaxis following consumption of oats in an apple crumble crust. Analysis of the patient’s clinical history noted that, whilst previously able to eat oats without incident, she had been using an oat-based moisturiser to soothe her eczema (broken skin). The patient had also experienced some allergic symptoms (difficulty in breathing) in response to the moisturiser as well as an oat-based bath product.

Experiments were able to show that the patient had oat-specific IgE antibodies (a diagnostic marker of allergy) within her blood. In the presence of oat extract or the oat-containing products, these antibodies were able to activate the patient's basophils, an important cell type activated during an allergic reaction, indicating that they were indeed leading to clinical symptoms when the patient was exposed to oat.

Combined with the clinical history, these data suggest that the patient was sensitised to oat via the application of oat-based products to broken skin. As quoted in a previous article published within this blog, the head of AIRMed and senior author of this case study Professor O’Hehir states that: “This new study adds extra evidence to the argument for skin care preparations to be bland and to avoid agents capable of sensitisation, especially foods.”


Reference: Radhakrishna N, Prickett S, Phan T, Rolland JM, Puy R, O'Hehir RE. Anaphylaxis to oats after cutaneous sensitization by oatmeal in skin products used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jan-Feb: 4;152-3
doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2015.07.005
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Congratulations to Professor Robyn O'Hehir for being awarded the Order of Australia

January 26, 2016, 2:44 pm
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Congratulations to Professor Robyn O'Hehir for being awarded the Order of Australia at Officer level on Australia Day 2016. The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large and is to recognise outstanding achievement and service. Professor O'Hehir is the head of the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (AIRMed) and head of the Allergy laboratory within the Department of Immunology and Pathology. This latest award is just one of many that recognises Professor O'Hehir's ongoing commitment to clinical and research excellence.
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Development of intestinal gas capsules

January 26, 2016, 4:19 pm
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By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Many types of gases are produced within our digestive systems. Alterations in the type and amount of these gases can alter gut function, and potentially be a sign of disease.

Professor Peter Gibson - Head of the
Department of Gastroenterology
In a cross-disciplinary collaborative project including Monash researchers from the Department of Gastroenterology, a new intestinal gas capsule has been developed. These capsules has been designed to be swallowed so as to allow access to the gut in a non-invasive manner. Here they can sample the gases present and transmit their concentration and location (based on time lapsed following ingestion of the capsule) within the gut.

To test the capsules, pigs on high or low fibre diets were given the capsules. Pigs on a high fibre diet had higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and lower hydrogen gas (H2) within their gastrointestinal tract than pigs given a low fibre diet. These findings were consistent with previous studies which measured gases in the guts of pigs on low and high fibre diets using classical (more invasive) techniques. As such, this study has shown that intestinal gas capsules can effectively provide information on the "where and what" regarding gas production in the gut, information that can only be determined presently by invasive techniques that are not possible to perform on humans.

Though the capsules require further refinement before they can be considered for use in humans, this study has shown that they have great potential to effectively and non-invasively detect gases within the gut. This will allow for a better understanding of the physiology of the gut  and permit easier detection and assessment of gut disorders within the clinic and inform treatment options.


Reference: Kalantar-Zadeh K, Yao CK, Berean KJ, Ha N, Ou JZ, Ward SA, Pillai N, Hill J, Cottrell JJ, Dunshea FR, McSweeney C, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Intestinal gas capsules: a proof-of-concept demonstration. Gastroenterology. 2016 Jan: 150;37-9
doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.07.072
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HDR Drinks- now a regular event!

January 27, 2016, 8:19 pm
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Thanks to MPA that HDR drinks is now a regular event! 

So lock in the first Thursday of every month, to pop down to The Village on your way home, have a chat (or a debrief) and a drink (alcoholic or otherwise). 

Enjoy your free first drink!
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Congratulations to Alfred researchers on MIME funding

January 31, 2016, 9:39 pm
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The Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) has announced its 2015 Seed Funding Awardees, to which over $700,000 has been disbursed in research project support. The projects will be undertaken in collaboration with researchers in the Faculties of Engineer and IT.

The Central Clinical School recipients were:

Professor Mark Fitzgerald (National Trauma Research Institute)   
  • Chest trauma: Develop semi-automated device for emergency drainage of blood in the chest cavity (pleural decompression device)    
  • Trauma resuscitation: Develop wireless heads-up display for real-time decision support in trauma situations   
Professor Anton Peleg (Department of Infectious Diseases)

  • Hospital-acquired infections: Develop surface coatings for medical devices that resist the attachment of organisms and establishment of biofilms, particularly antibiotic resistance biofilms

Adjunct Professor Bruce Thompson (Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine )

  • Asthma treatment: Development and testing of a nebulizer with “dial up” particle size control that can target small airways, improving the treatment of asthma   
Professor Andrew Spencer (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases)

  • Multiple myeloma diagnostic tool: Develop a diagnostic test for detecting circulating tumour DNA for use in primary healthcare

 

 

MIME PhD Scholarship support

MIME also funds PhD scholarships so students can be recruited to work with researchers. Successful researchers from CCS were: 

Dr Heather Cleland, Mr Stephen Goldie (Department of Surgery)

  • Burn injuries: Develop a tissue engineered skin substitute, which will enable rapid and permanent wound closure, as well as functional and aesthetic reconstruction   

Dr Stephen Ting (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases)

  • Leukemia stem cell detection: Single cell identification, separation, isolation and assay of bone marrow and leukemia stem cells     
 


Professor Mark Fitzgerald (National Trauma Research Institute)   
  • Trauma resuscitation – develop wireless heads-up display for real-time decision support   
Professor David Kaye (Department of Medicine)
  • Heart attack: Develop 3D-printed muscle patch for heart repair
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Unlocking the brain with new stimulation technologies

January 31, 2016, 2:30 pm
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Associate Professor Kate Hoy
Brain connectivity and neuroplasticity are increasingly investigated and becoming better understood, and the insights are being employed with new technologies for treatment of cognitive disorders and brain injuries.

In this article, Elouise Brennan interviews A/Prof Kate Hoy of the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre on how the techniques of transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are being used for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and depression. Link to full story.
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Monash discovery central to record breaking licensing deal

February 1, 2016, 10:45 pm
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Professor Stephen Jane, Head of Central
Clinical School, Monash University
A suite of drugs developed by the Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx) from early Monash research has just been licensed to global healthcare leader MSD, known as Merck in the US and Canada, in what is believed to be one of the largest preclinical licensing deals involving an Australian discovery.

The drugs – which are inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) – have potential clinical applications in both cancer and non-cancer blood disorders.

The importance of PRMT5 was first discovered by Professor Stephen Jane, Head of the Monash Central Clinical School, who initiated the search for inhibitory drugs.
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